A FORMER car dealer who left the rat race for a life of adventure is now in the midst of a medieval pilgrim trail to raise funds for charity.

Mark Stanley is taking part in the epic, 1,100 mile walk to Santiago de Compostela in aid of Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland.

The 1,000-year-old pilgrimage to the shrine of St James in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, north western Spain is known in English as 'the Way of St James' and in Spanish as the 'Camino de Santiago'.

The charity Mr Stanley is supporting is one for which he has previously volunteered and aims to improve the quality of life for people in Scotland affected by chest, heart and stroke illness, through medical research, influencing public policy, advice and information and support in the community.

So far he has raised more than £700 but hopes to raise more for the cause with the support of Journal readers.

He was inspired in part by ‘As I walked Out One Midsummer Morning’, a memoir by Laurie Lee during which the author recounted an epic journey on foot which also involved a trek from Gloucestershire to Spain.

The 55-year-old said: “Three and a half years ago I gave up the rat race and embarked on a series of adventures, I have come to the conclusion over this time that if you have a dream, you shouldn't hold back.

“I had talked about travelling the world for more than ten years and when I eventually had the courage to do it I wondered why.

“We all have this routine of how life should be bred into us, but it doesn't need to be this way. I have seen some amazing places, met some amazing people and enjoyed my day to day life far more.”

Mr Stanley has worked as a volunteer for various charities, CHSS and Shelter in Scotland, and Cudeca in Spain.

He said the pilgrim trail was one he had wanted to complete for a long time, beginning his journey in Northleach in the Cotswolds where his mother lives on August 1.

Mr Stanley first headed to Portsmouth and from there took a ferry to St Malo. When the Journal spoke to him he was in Nantes in France but his journey will ultimately take him through the west of France to the foothills of the Pyrenees and St Jean Pied de Port, the start of the official 'Camino' to Santiago de Compostela.

He said: “I think that the whole journey will take around three months and I will walk around 1,150 miles.”

Mr Stanley has already been impressed by the kindness shown him in France, despite admitting to having poor command of the language (he is more accomplished at speaking Spanish).

He said: “People have been amazing. They have given me food. When I visited one family I asked for water and they invited me inside and gave me red wine. They let me stay for their barbecue and have a shower and washed my clothes and let me sleep on their sofa.”

Mr Stanley is travelling alone for the most part and carries his tent with him though every few days he tries to find a hostel so he can wash himself and his clothes before carrying on the journey.

To sponsor him visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Mark-Stanley7